New Haven Independent

Barnett rode to the trail entrance on Goodrich late Monday morning and saw a crowd gathered right there on the trail. “I thought something happened,” he said.

Something had happened: Several dozen cyclists, trail activists and New Haven and Hamden officials had gathered to mark the historic occasion. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro was there too. She helped win federal money for the trail, which is more expensive to build in urban areas than through suburbs or rural spots the trail also passes through on its 80-mile journey to Northampton, Mass.

DeLauro recalled the years from 1828-1848, when the canal operated, and the years following that until 1987, when the railroad ran.

“This is all about a reinvention of this land for our time,” she said. “What was really an important thoroughfare for trade and for commerce in the 19th century is now an area of activity and leisure in the 21st century, as well as a reflection of our own commitment to protecting Connecticut’s natural environment, and our historic and cultural resources.”

She closed with a rousing call, “On to Phase IV!” That’s the last piece. It connects the Yale University campus with New Haven harbor.

Mayor John DeStefano noted that the entire portion of the trail in New Haven crosses 14 streets and four bridge. The last phase of construction will include building a tunnel.

“This trail exists for one reason,” he said in his remarks. “It was a bunch of citizens who saw it not as an eyesore, but as an asset to pull people together. I’d like to tell you it started in City Hall or town government; it didn’t.”

He went on to acknowledge his “outstanding city plan department” that managed constructione. “It’s why Karen [Gilvarg, director of City Plan] never leaves,” he joked. “We’re going to get this done.”

Hamden government’s chief administrative officer, Scott Jackson, gave DeStefano a gold-plated railroad spike (pictured), to commemorate the joining of the trails. Hamden’s southernly section was completed earlier this year. The trail now runs without interruption about 14 miles into Cheshire.

Lisa Fernandez is head of the volunteer group, the Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association, that started it all back in 1987 with Nancy Alderman at the helm. Fernandez thanked everyone for their efforts. She gave the mayor another railroad spike, non-gold-plated. “We’re the non-profit group,” she joked.

After the ceremony, Barnett headed south. He uses the trail for both recreation and running errands to a nearby grocery store.

Other trail users spotted were these women who work for Yale at 25 Science Park. Sunny Choi, Sun Ae Kim and Wendy Hall (left to right), briskly walk a section of the trail from Munson Street to Division Streeet in Newhallville every weekday at lunchtime.

While they were out on Monday — just as on many other days, they said — a Yale security officer (pictured) made her rounds up and down that section of the trail, greeting people heartily and encouraging them to enjoy the beautiful day. The women said they feel safe on their strolls.

There have been reports of harassment and some crime on this section of the trail, leading to the stepped up security. Trail promoters around the country report that the more people use these linear parks, the safer they are. Gilvarg cautioned to use common sense, to be aware of one’s surroundings and not travel alone if possible. The New Haven section will be managed by the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees. It will be open officially from dawn to dusk, and there is no lighting.

A few members of the Guardian Angels (pictured) civilian crime prevention unit claim they will patrol the trail with members of Partners for Peace, a Newhallville-based youth group, starting next month. (Click here for a previous story.) Guardian Angels leader Kenny (on the right), who declined to give his last name, said the group always cooperates with the local police and doesn’t “take the law into our own hands.” Paul Hammer (on the left) is a cycling advocate and an Angel-in-training, working to earn the insignia that will go on his red beret.

One bike commuter was worried about the lack of signage and crosswalk striping at some of the street crossings on the new section. (Pictured: the crossing at Division Street.) Gilvarg said all the signage and striping will be completed within four weeks. Then motorists will have to get used to the idea of giving cyclists and pedestrians who step into those crosswalks the right of way.

Matthew Feiner (pictured, with Newhallville Alderwoman Katrina Jones on the right), proprietor of the Devil’s Gear bike shop on Chapel Street, had ridden north on his high-wheeler with a group of fellow cyclists. After the ceremony, an even larger group rode south again, most on their way back to work, others just enjoying the ride on a picture-perfect fall day.

Later in the afternoon, lots of people were seen walking the trail in groups of twos and threes, with one teenager biking it. They were asked if they’re from the neighborhood — they are — and what they think of the trail. They all gave it a delighted thumbs up.